So, obviously, when you're shooting a ball, you miss but the cue ball bounces off a couple rails and nudges in a different object ball, you'd raise a hand or say "sorry, fluked it," etc. And you'd apologize if you miss but the cue ball goes ahead and gets married to another object ball snookering your opponent. But what if you're going for a low percentage shot (like a table length bank or a multi cushion kick) and you make it? Or you're shooting a two way shot, miss the pot, but end up with a good safe?

shot to nothing?

Apologise for everything that is totally unplanned in tournaments, practice games and leagues. Don't apologise for anything that you meant to do even if it is very low percentage.

In cash games don't apologise for anything versus anyone except very gracious, polite losers, in which case just follow their level of politeness at all times.

I don't apologize for anything that happens on the table. I realize that good rolls even out sooner or later and for every good one I've had there has been a bad one before so I just shrug them off and move along. A big part of the reason is that I find when people apologize they are taking their focus away from the task at hand which in a lot of cases forces them to make unforced errors shortly afterwards.

I also find the apology to be lip service most of the time anyway, I'm not sorry I'm still shooting and we both know it so why bother pretending. If I was that sorry I'd give up the table and let my opponent shoot.

Yeah, I never apologize. F the other guy.

I usually keep my mouth shut no matter what. When I start yackin it up at the table, I always start playing worse. Concentration rather than knowing what to do has always been my downfall.

Good points all round. I think I'm going to take the middle road here from now on. Yeah, I'll never give my inning away or give up a win because of a fluked shot but I also don't want people who regularly play with or around me to think of me as a poor sportsman. Also, chatting messing up your shooting rhythm, hadn't thought about that. So, nothing verbal. Just raise a hand and to acknowledge that the previous shot was a fluke.

Are you guys talking about playing slop? Or is this some snooker specific thing?

In our game if you make a shot you didn't intend, you simply stop shooting and let the other player go. No slop

9 ball and snooker both do not have call shot rules except in snooker, you have to nominate which colour you're shooting. In 9 ball, if you smash the ball on and it goes around 15 rails and nudges in the 9 ball, you win.

somewhat, but i think they are saying if you make an unintentional safety. i would probably after missing a shot and leaving a good, but unintentional safety.

i always apologise however i do have a tendency to do it sarcastically if my opponent is a dick/boasts when he wins/needles etc...

Well said and carries over to other areas.

It is so much easier to stay focused for me if I just keep my mouth shut and play the game.

yep

no calling shots rule in 9-ball

If I leave an unintentional safety I just laugh and call it defense. F the other guy.

Wamy wins, of course.